Dear Clubhouse Colleagues,

So many of us are grateful that our Clubhouses have given our lives meaning, purpose, friendship, and joy. In 2014, a group of us from the Michigan (U.S.) Clubhouse Coalition decided to create a week-long event in which Clubhouse members around the world can celebrate our Clubhouses together, and tell the world who we are! We are pleased to say this is the 7th year of this event! Please join us on to help us celebrate “CLUBHOUSE MOVEMENT CELEBRATION WEEK”

June 1 – 7, 2021!!

Together, we will: . Celebrate our achievements! . Raise our visibility around the world, and in our local communities! . Spread our of success!

. Honor our movement’s history and leaders! Clubhouse Movement Celebration Week will give us the chance to collect Clubhouse testimonials from members and others whose lives have been impacted by Clubhouse all around the world.

We have created our own Facebook page for this event so that the worldwide impact of the Clubhouse movement can be experienced anywhere.

How to Post  Post your testimonial any time during the week of June 1-7  If you already have a Facebook account, log in and search for “Clubhouse Movement Celebration Week.” If you do not yet have a Facebook page, either create a Clubhouse page or help each other make individual pages for Clubhouse members.  “Like” the page, then create a “post” to add a comment. Please see the writing guidelines below.  Invite testimonials from your Clubhouse members’ families and friends, board members, employment partners, staff, auspice representatives, legislators, community members, and anyone else who has witnessed the power of Clubhouses to change lives will add to the power of this event!  The #clubhouseworks can be used on Facebook, , , and any other sites you use to help bring awareness to Clubhouses in your community. Writing Guidelines: Responses that are concise are often the most powerful (1-4 sentences, or less than 125 words). Testimonials should focus on the impact of the Clubhouse experience, rather than a detailed personal history. Testimonials might open with: . “What my Clubhouse has meant to me is… . “Before I came to [Clubhouse name], I was… . “Without [Clubhouse name], I would probably be… They may also include: . “[Clubhouse name] helped me get a job, and to me working means…” . “With [Clubhouse Name], I finally have a place to come and…” In order to show appreciation for the movement, the conclusion might mention the larger Clubhouse community; Clubhouse International; Fountain House; or perhaps the Clubhouse movement in general.

Suggestions for Unit Work: In order to ensure that your Clubhouse can collect as many strong testimonials as possible, you may want to structure these efforts in a unit. The unit could form a group that will coordinate the efforts and encourage members to participate; help with technical questions; assist with writing using the guidelines and examples above. . We are hoping that each Clubhouse will have at least 10-20 member testimonials.

Examples: Coming to a Clubhouse Without Fresh Start, I has kept me out of a would probably be even group home. It helped more depressed, have cope with my thoughts zero structure, friendless, and feelings. I have and have more learned so many hospitalizations. I am Using Pictures: things since becoming grateful to have it. Pictures are a a Clubhouse member. -Joy D. powerful way to - Tim F. express an idea. Before I came to Clubhouse, I didn’t know anything Photos like this about it. I came to check it out, and now I love it! can be posted to Clubhouse means a lot to me as a place to come the page too… and see friends, to get a meal, and to build relationships with other members. The Clubhouse helped me get a job, and that means a lot to me. I have more money and more opportunities to do things in the community. - Ted F. Thank you so much for your assistance! Sincerely, The Clubhouse Movement Celebration Week team: Colleagues at Genesis House and Fresh Start Clubhouse, Michigan, USA

Questions? Please contact us: Genesis House (517) 223-1393 [email protected] Fresh Start Clubhouse (734) 929-9992 [email protected]